‘Twas a Simply Smashing Summer

I went on a walk today and felt a few crisp leaves crunch beneath my feet. Summer is almost gone, and autumn will be here before we know it.

You may have noticed how little I’ve been here on the blog these last few months. It wasn’t planned, at least not at first. Life simply got busy. I found myself hardly having a chance to sit with my family during the week and simply be with them. Other things at church or in the lives of friends took precedence over both my reading and writing. As I began to push off more and more of the things I was hoping to do for my little corner of the web, I decided to remove the burden entirely, take a short break from writing, and whole-heartedly enjoy the remaining weeks of summer.

I did enjoy them. Thoroughly. But I must say, I’m glad to be back.

Pages of the summer…

I read a total of four books this summer. That’s it. Just four. I read them slowly and savored them thoroughly. Something I haven’t let myself do in quite some time.

The Promise Is His Presence: Why God Is Always Enough by Glenna Marshall

Glenna Marshall not only has a beautiful way of writing, she has a beautiful message to convey. That message is not new, though it is often forgotten. Suffering is very real, sorrow cuts deep, but God is always with us, and He is always enough.
She takes you on a journey through Scripture, recounting God’s faithfulness to His people in the midst of their suffering. She pours her whole self into this book, making reading it feel as though she’s made you a cup of coffee and welcomed you to her couch where she spends a few hours taking you back to the truths of Scripture, back to the God who is enough.
This book is one to sit on shelves beside Elisabeth Elliot, Corrie ten Boom, John Piper, and Nancy Wolgemuth. Biblical truths and marvelous writing, from a heart so obviously caught up in follwing Christ.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

This one I must confess, I read after watching the movie. *GASP* In my defense, I was unaware that there even was a book that preceded the movie, and upon learning there was it was immediately placed on my hold list at the library. The film and the book were thoroughly enjoyable. Both of them (the book more so than the movie) had a bit of language that I could’ve done without, but the story was compelling and one I’m sure I will revisit.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

A classic. I don’t think I had ever read the book in it’s entirety, though a quote from it is found in the motto of my blog. This was one that won a permanent place in my heart to be reread many times and shared with sisters, and maybe one day daughters of my own. I laughed, and cried, and could hardly put it down. I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series this fall.

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Many times have I read this treasure. There are a few blog posts in the works stemming from some thoughts in these pages, so stay tuned. If you have not yet read this Christian classic, I strongly suggest you go find a copy, make yourself a cup of tea, and plant yourself on a couch for a few hours to savor it. You’ll thank me later.

Scribbles of the summer…

While I haven’t been writing much for the blog these last few months, I have kept up my writing in general. I have a little project in the works that has to do with hymns, children, and stories that change the world. More on that to come. Much of my writing time has also been spent blissfully working on essays for school. My nerdy self is so thrilled to be back in the swing of studying.

I’ve also been deeply involved with my small town’s historical society and have been working on several writing projects for them. As a history major, this has been an enjoyment to the utmost.

As summer winds down, I look forward to writing more articles and reviews for the blog this fall.

Clicks of the summer…

Below I’ve compiled a few links I have enjoyed reading this summer. Enjoy, be encouraged, and show some support to some of these writers by subscribing to their sites.

Castles in the Air – Story Warren

When I Am Afraid, I Will Trust in the Carbon Monoxide Detector – Glenna Marshall

The Greatest Work You Can Do in College – Kelly Needham

Literary Crisis–The Way Forward? Go Back – Douglas Bond

In Conclusion…

I hope you enjoyed your summer. I hope you said “no” to some things to say “yes” to others. I hope you saturated yourselves in Scripture, and spent a few afternoons mulling over a cup of tea, a good book or a dear friend’s conversation. I hope you enjoyed this summer, and that Christ became even more dear. Here’s to fall, and all that’s to come.

It’s good to be back.